Fort Myers Miracle to change name to Groupers for one game

The Fort Myers Miracle, High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, will change their name to the Fort Myers Groupers for one game. The reason for the name change is … well, it’s hard to say. Per the team’s website, they are “paying homage to Southwest Florida’s favorite fish.”

“Grouper has long been a popular menu item at restaurants all along Southwest Florida’s coast,” said Chris Peters, president and general manager of the Fort Myers Miracle/Groupers, in an article on MiLB.com. “So we thought, why not have a little fun and change things up a bit?”

The team will wear uniforms with logos designed by Brandiose for one game. Among other promotions, they will serve burgers made of grouper, “a popular entrée because of its mild, subtle flavor.”

Fans who thought the name change might be permanent can be forgiven. It would have been the third name change in a few months where a minor league team adopted a fish-based identity (see the Gwinnett Stripers and Tampa Tarpons). Also, the original story behind the Miracle’s nickname is not terribly dramatic—it was chosen primary for the fact that it’s alliterative.

But for now, the name change is temporary. The Miracle will take the field as the Groupers for just one game, July 21 against the Lakeland Flying Tigers.